Southern Colonies Religion

Southern Colonies claimed to have religious freedom but that tended to be a superficial idea. In these colonies Anglican faith was the most predominate. Anglican included Presbyterian and Baptist. While Protestants were somewhat tolerated most were Anglican. They didn’t really consider Native Americans and slaves religion to be an actual religion. Several people tried to convert slaves and Native Americans to their religion. When slaves began to give in they became predominately Baptist.

Anglican churches spread along the length of the Atlantic seaboard, the largest concentration being in the coastal South. In these colonies, Anglicanism also enjoyed the advantage of being the established, state-supported church, as it had been in England since the sixteenth century. In Anglicanism great emphasis is placed on observing a formal ceremonies--the celebration of saints' days and other holy days. They had great performance of elaborate, dramatic ceremonies, the conduct of worship by reciting set prayers--all accompanied by organ music and choral singing and led by priests wearing vestments. Much like Roman Catholics, Anglicans have always favored elegantly constructed churches with ornately decorated interiors. The purpose of all this outward show is to instill those attending worship with a sense of awe and piety. They were considered shallow.

Burton Parish Church in Virginia.

Bethany Presbyterian Church Statesville, NC
Courtesy Montreal Historical Foundation

Information for this page was adapted from http://www.history.org/search/index.html and http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/eighteen/ekeyinfo/chureng.htm